Things to do & places to visit in Orkney Islands, United Kingdom

Orkney Islands #64 destination in United Kingdom 2023. The average rating score is 4.64 based on 14.1k traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: Europe/London, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 4:44.

Top things to do (20)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Skara Brae (2.180 reviews)
- Touring the 1999 UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney sites.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins

The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill, is one of the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. Visitors can experience a prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone beds, dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house. See more..
5.0 Ness of Brodgar (355 reviews)
- Fabulous guided tours and a chance to learn so much
Monday: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

A chance stop off yesterday coincided with the afternoon guided tour of the site. Friendly university professor led a small group of folk around the site with immense knowledge and great humour, creating much enjoyment for all. A wonderful insight into Neolithic times, the place and people, the archeology, methods and practices of the current dig and all FREE. It’s high time this important work was properly supported by public and private funding. Wonderful visit. Site only open for 6-7 weeks in July/August. I’ve been many times before over the years, but highly recommend the timed tours. See more..
5.0 Yesnaby Cliffs (336 reviews)
- If you are on Orkney you should visit this place!
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

One of the must places to visit on Orkney, easily reached with good parking near the cliff although can fill up quickly with buses etc so getting there early is a good idea. We were fortunate to have good clear and sunny weather although the wind was up a bit at the time, some really impressive views from the cliff edge of the sea crashing against the rocks, easy walk from car park with a bit of a climb toward the end of the walk to reach the highest point but doable for even reasonably unfit folk like me. Once you have done that walk, take the well worn path following the coastline for about 15 min to see the seriously impressive Yesnaby sea stacks, well worth the walk and not to be forgotten when seen. See more..
5.0 Broch of Gurness (325 reviews)
- Important Neolithic Community
History Museums

Ruins of ancient tower and huts used to defend the Scotish coastline from raiders. See more..
5.0 The Orkney Distillery (228 reviews)
- A very socialable 2 hours
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Distilleries

Welcome, adventurer! Your epic Orkney saga has begun. We invite you to enter our new distillery and visitor centre in Kirkwall, to toast the gods and learn the secrets behind our legendary Orkney Gin. Our distillery tours can be pre-booked - please visit our website www.orkneydistilling.com, where you can check live availability and book online. We now also offer our garden concept bar ‘Oot The Back’. If you seek the true essence of Orkney, we urge you to join us! See more..
5.0 The Old Man of Hoy (162 reviews)
- Old Man of Hoy - we were quite blown away!
Geologic Formations

A stunning sea stack. Amazing to get so close to this magnificent structure. Well worth the long walk along the cliffs. The walk would have been easier in summer than on the very windy November day we did it however - although we did see a waterfall being blown uphill on the way! See more..
5.0 Barony Mill (123 reviews)
- Actual Mill & Water Powered
Monday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites

Barony Mill is currently closed for milling over the winter months. We look forward to welcoming you again daily from May to September. In the meantime please have a look at our website where you will be able to see the Barony Mill and the products we produce. See more..
5.0 Kirbuster Museum (97 reviews)
- A step back in time
Monday: Speciality Museums

Kirbuster Museum is the last un-restored example of a traditional ‘firehoose’ in Northern Europe. The house has a central hearth, complete with peat fire, and a stone neuk bed reminiscent of the Neolithic interiors that can be seen at sites such as Skara Brae, and demonstrates how little some aspects of domestic life changed in Orkney over many centuries. The house also has an Edwardian parlour and Victorian Gardens and visitors can enjoy a game of putting on the green and explore the Trowie Trail in the back garden. Kirbuster is a unique survivor which gives a fascinating insight into four centuries of family life in Orkney. An excellent place to visit if you are researching your Orkney ancestry. FREE ADMISSION. Access is currently restricted so please be prepared to wait if the site is busy, and to adhere to the safety advice on hygiene and physical distancing. It is mandatory to wear a face covering in the building and you will be asked for your contact details for Test & Protect. See more..
5.0 Hoy Island (78 reviews)
- A marvellous day out
Islands

This is Orkney's largest island after Mainland. See more..
5.0 Mull Head Nature Reserve (71 reviews)
- The gloup
Nature & Wildlife Areas

This is a short little trail to the gloup, a collapsed sea cave but unfortunately the other trail was closed. There is lots of information boards and a good sized carpark with an honesty box full of snacks. Its definitely worth stopping here to see it! See more..
5.0 Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn (70 reviews)
- Evocative and worthwhile
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Relatively short up hill walk to the tomb. There are two torches in a box for you to use. One was out of battery and one was a little low on battery, but this didn't matter as we had torches and phones. It's a bit muddy on the way in but nothing unmanageable or meaning that you had to go straight home and change. You were also able to stand up fully inside. We had already visited lots of other Neolithic sights on Mainland and on Rousay, but what I liked about this one is that you entered through the original door and it still had on the original roof as it had been 'rediscovered' via a side room, so the corbelling and capping stones were still intact. The effect was highly evocative and certainly well worth the visit. Glad we went. See more..
5.0 Skara Brae (2.180 reviews)
- Touring the 1999 UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney sites.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins

The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill, is one of the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. Visitors can experience a prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone beds, dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house. See more..
5.0 Ness of Brodgar (355 reviews)
- Fabulous guided tours and a chance to learn so much
Monday: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

A chance stop off yesterday coincided with the afternoon guided tour of the site. Friendly university professor led a small group of folk around the site with immense knowledge and great humour, creating much enjoyment for all. A wonderful insight into Neolithic times, the place and people, the archeology, methods and practices of the current dig and all FREE. It’s high time this important work was properly supported by public and private funding. Wonderful visit. Site only open for 6-7 weeks in July/August. I’ve been many times before over the years, but highly recommend the timed tours. See more..
5.0 Yesnaby Cliffs (336 reviews)
- If you are on Orkney you should visit this place!
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

One of the must places to visit on Orkney, easily reached with good parking near the cliff although can fill up quickly with buses etc so getting there early is a good idea. We were fortunate to have good clear and sunny weather although the wind was up a bit at the time, some really impressive views from the cliff edge of the sea crashing against the rocks, easy walk from car park with a bit of a climb toward the end of the walk to reach the highest point but doable for even reasonably unfit folk like me. Once you have done that walk, take the well worn path following the coastline for about 15 min to see the seriously impressive Yesnaby sea stacks, well worth the walk and not to be forgotten when seen. See more..
5.0 Broch of Gurness (325 reviews)
- Important Neolithic Community
History Museums

Ruins of ancient tower and huts used to defend the Scotish coastline from raiders. See more..
5.0 The Orkney Distillery (228 reviews)
- A very socialable 2 hours
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Distilleries

Welcome, adventurer! Your epic Orkney saga has begun. We invite you to enter our new distillery and visitor centre in Kirkwall, to toast the gods and learn the secrets behind our legendary Orkney Gin. Our distillery tours can be pre-booked - please visit our website www.orkneydistilling.com, where you can check live availability and book online. We now also offer our garden concept bar ‘Oot The Back’. If you seek the true essence of Orkney, we urge you to join us! See more..
4.5 Saint Magnus Cathedral (1.918 reviews)
- Gravestones inside the church are amazing
Monday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Religious Sites

St Magnus Cathedral, built in a Romanesque style from red and yellow sandstone, is of international significance. This ‘fine minster’ took about 300 years to build, the foundations starting in 1137. It was dedicated to Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney. He shared the earldom with his cousin, Haakon Paulsson, but jealousy and greed culminated in Magnus being martyred on the island of Egilsay. The shrine of St Magnus drew pilgrims from all over northern Europe, and the tradition of pilgrimage has been revived in recent times with the opening of the St Magnus Way. St Magnus Cathedral is the only wholly Medieval cathedral in Scotland, and the bones of the saint still lie interred within the pillars of the choir. See more..
4.5 Ring of Brodgar (1.407 reviews)
- A wonderful experience, if you time it right
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Mysterious Sites

This is the largest Neolithic standing stone circle in Scotland, which is more than 340 feet in diameter consisting of 25 stones, the largest of which is 15 feet in height. See more..
4.5 The Italian Chapel (1.165 reviews)
- Stunning setting
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

Make sure you visit in good weather to appreciate the setting and the drive along the Churchill Barriers. It does get busy, we went at lunch time and a coach party was just leaving so there were only about 6 of us there. Lots of people have moaned about the entrance fee but it is worth it to see this little gem of history. Take the time to really look around and take it all in. Everything was made scrap, the lights were made from Corned beef tins for instance. The Italian Prisoners brought in to build the barriers made this with love and it is beautiful. Ladies in the ticket office were lovely. Small car park,no toilets. Well worth a visit See more..
4.5 Maeshowe Chambered Cairn (728 reviews)
- Very good experience, make sure you book so you dont miss it
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins

Due to limited capacity, it is strongly recommended to reserve your visit online to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment. Tour times of the Cairn: 10am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm Enter one of the finest Neolithic buildings in north-west Europe, a masterpiece of ancient engineering. This chambered tomb, which sits on a platform encircled by a ditch, is a monument to the skill and beliefs of Orkney's people some 5,000 years ago. If you visit in midwinter - and the skies are clear - you can witness the central chamber illuminated by a shaft of light from the setting sun. Maeshowe's unique story continued with it was broken into about 1,000 years ago by Norsemen. They left their mark in the astonishing runic graffiti, alongside the stunning 'Maeshowe Lion' carving. Visits are by guided tour only. Tours depart from the new Maeshowe Visitor Centre (at Stenness), postcode KW16 3LB. See more..
4.5 NorthLink Ferries (676 reviews)
- Perfect to reach the Orkney Islands, we really enjoyed the Hamnavoe B&B
Ferries

Let NorthLink Ferries take you on a voyage of discovery to the islands of Orkney and Shetland. With NorthLink Ferries, travelling to Orkney and Shetland is more convenient than ever before. Choose from up to three sailings a day from Scrabster (near Thurso) to Stromness in Orkney and nightly sailings from Aberdeen to Lerwick in Shetland - with four of these sailings going via Orkney's capital, Kirkwall. See more..
4.5 The Orkney Museum (626 reviews)
- A great supplement to seeing the actual sites on Orkney.
Monday: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM History Museums

The Orkney Museum tells the story of Orkney, from the Stone Age, to the Picts and Vikings, right through to the present day. There is a large collection of old photos and activities to amuse younger visitors. The Museum’s collection is of international importance and it has a changing temporary exhibition programme. The Orkney Museum used to be a house – Tankerness House. For three centuries this house was the home of the Baikie family of Tankerness, whose estate gave the house its name. It opened as a museum in 1968 and is an A-listed building. The Baikie Library and Drawing Room gives the visitor an idea of how the house looked when it was a family home. PLEASE NOTE: We will be closed from 15:00 Friday 23rd December 2022, reopening 10:30 Wednesday 1st February 2023 See more..
4.5 Highland Park Distillery (573 reviews)
- Amazing Tour and Whisky!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Distilleries • Breweries

We’ve been crafting our award-winning whisky at the Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney since 1798. Now, over 220 years later, we are one of the ten oldest working distilleries in Scotland. Age, experience and respect for tradition may define our whisky but it’s Orkney that differentiates it. Something magic happens here and the result is a wild harmony of contrasting flavours found in our single malt. Advanced booking is required. See more..
4.5 Standing Stones of Stenness (509 reviews)
- Ring still vusable
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Mysterious Sites

These mysterious standing stones, similar to England's Stonehenge, date from 2000 BC. See more..
4.5 The Earl's Palace (455 reviews)
- Amazing historical structure in the centre of Kirkwall
Historic Sites

Roam the ruins of the residence of Robert Stewart, half-brother of Mary Queen of Scots, who became Earl of Orkney in the late 1500s. The Earl’s Palace is a fine courtyard castle, and remains in a remarkable state of completeness. See more..
4.5 Scapa Flow (405 reviews)
- Excellent site to see in Orkney
Bodies of Water

This treacherous pass made ship navigation difficult, resulting in over 10 sunken ship wrecks, providing an excellent dive site. See more..
4.5 Brough Of Birsay (325 reviews)
- Puffin watching
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Walking Areas • Islands

This site is closed, but the grounds are open to visitors. Reach this very special tidal island by causeway to explore Pictish, Norse and medieval remains. Brooches, rings and dress pins found on the Brough of Birsay suggest that it was a Pictish power centre. See more..
4.5 Stromness Museum (230 reviews)
- Thoroughly recommended
Monday: 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums • History Museums

Welcome to Stromness Museum. Stromness Museum is an independent museum based in Stromness, Orkney. We host special exhibitions and have a range of permanent galleries, welcoming visitors throughout the year. You can also browse our collections online. See more..
4.5 Kirkwall VisitScotland iCentre (212 reviews)
- Knowledgeable and informative staff members at Kirkwall iCentre
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Visitor Centers

Kirkwall iCentre will be CLOSED on the 25th, 26th & 27th of December, along with the 1st, 2nd & 3rd of January. See more..
4.5 Scapa the Orcadian (204 reviews)
- Amazing Whisky Tasting
Monday: Spent < 1 hour Distilleries • Visitor Centers

Explore the legendary Scapa Distillery. Situated on the shore of Scapa Flow, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. We are currently open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-12pm, 2pm-5pm with our Scapa Reserve Tasting on at 1pm. This tasting is available to be booked online. We also have tours and more bespoke tastings available please contact us for details. See more..